IOT Pilot training: "Little" problem!
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IOT Pilot training: "Little" problem!
Hello!
I am currently looking to go into the RAF as an officer pilot, and I have been through all the proper routes. I have all the relevant qualifications and then I have a flying scholarship and a gliding scholarship as well. My problem is this: I am 6" 8".
Will they ignore my request to be a piot on the basis that I am too tall or will they be sufficiently impressed with my qualifications to train me anyway?
Any help would be most appreciated as I have no idea what I want to do otherwise. Oh, could you recommend any branches for me as well in case I do not make it in?
Ta!
Matt
I am currently looking to go into the RAF as an officer pilot, and I have been through all the proper routes. I have all the relevant qualifications and then I have a flying scholarship and a gliding scholarship as well. My problem is this: I am 6" 8".
Will they ignore my request to be a piot on the basis that I am too tall or will they be sufficiently impressed with my qualifications to train me anyway?
Any help would be most appreciated as I have no idea what I want to do otherwise. Oh, could you recommend any branches for me as well in case I do not make it in?
Ta!
Matt
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I fear you may be too tall old bean. These are the relevant limits as they stood a few years ago. They may have changed slightly but will serve as a guide:
Standing height: 1626-1930mm
Sitting height: 830-1010mm
Buttock knee: 560-660mm
Buttock heel: 1000-1220mm
Hope this helps.
Standing height: 1626-1930mm
Sitting height: 830-1010mm
Buttock knee: 560-660mm
Buttock heel: 1000-1220mm
Hope this helps.
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Matt
As a blunty who is 1" shorter than you, I have had some chats about this stuff. If I am correct, all RAF Pilots work towards Fast Jet. If your thigh bones are 'in proportion' to the rest of you, you'd remove those knees on ejection. I also think you'd have trouble on fitting into anything else really. I know I had some squeeze in a Bulldog and can't have a 'back seat ride' on anything with a bang seat.
The flying world is dominated by munchkins. If you want some blunt views about life on the ground, PM me. Rather not air too many views in such exalted Master Race company here!
As a blunty who is 1" shorter than you, I have had some chats about this stuff. If I am correct, all RAF Pilots work towards Fast Jet. If your thigh bones are 'in proportion' to the rest of you, you'd remove those knees on ejection. I also think you'd have trouble on fitting into anything else really. I know I had some squeeze in a Bulldog and can't have a 'back seat ride' on anything with a bang seat.
The flying world is dominated by munchkins. If you want some blunt views about life on the ground, PM me. Rather not air too many views in such exalted Master Race company here!
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The US marine corps have harrier pilots who are 6'6".
The RAF are a bit anal about this sort of thing. A tall navy pilot couldn't fit into the firefly, so did jefts on the bulldog, couldn't fit into the tucano so flew the pc9 with the australian RAAF, and now flies the sea harrier.
I doubt the raf would have bothered. Why not give the navy ago instead.
The RAF are a bit anal about this sort of thing. A tall navy pilot couldn't fit into the firefly, so did jefts on the bulldog, couldn't fit into the tucano so flew the pc9 with the australian RAAF, and now flies the sea harrier.
I doubt the raf would have bothered. Why not give the navy ago instead.
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Colonel K,
Whilst I would agree that the RAF's medical branch are rather inflexible when it comes to anthro, once you're in the mob (admittedly the hard bit)you would get strapped in the most restrictive cockpit to see how you physically fit.
I don't doubt that there are 6' 6" USMC AV-8 dudes out there, I'll put money on their thigh bones not being in contact with the seat "cushion". I wouldn't want to try a parachute landing with broken thighs... Even if it's a bitter pill to swallow Matt, it's for a good reason. If you can get in as a helo or multi pilot then awesome, but see above re: inflexibility.
For aircraft like the Sea Harrier I believe it's the sticky outy bits that'll catch your knees.
I would recommend against the Navy unless you like banging your head on pipework. But if they'll let you go flying, that's another matter!
**** (6' 4")
Whilst I would agree that the RAF's medical branch are rather inflexible when it comes to anthro, once you're in the mob (admittedly the hard bit)you would get strapped in the most restrictive cockpit to see how you physically fit.
I don't doubt that there are 6' 6" USMC AV-8 dudes out there, I'll put money on their thigh bones not being in contact with the seat "cushion". I wouldn't want to try a parachute landing with broken thighs... Even if it's a bitter pill to swallow Matt, it's for a good reason. If you can get in as a helo or multi pilot then awesome, but see above re: inflexibility.
For aircraft like the Sea Harrier I believe it's the sticky outy bits that'll catch your knees.
I would recommend against the Navy unless you like banging your head on pipework. But if they'll let you go flying, that's another matter!
**** (6' 4")
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Colonel,
Not strictly true, never let facts get in the way of a good story tho’!
Matt,
I did hear of a fellow now on the royal flight who was too big for the hawk. It would appear there are ways around your problem if you are prepared to fly not so fast and pointy things.
Not strictly true, never let facts get in the way of a good story tho’!
Matt,
I did hear of a fellow now on the royal flight who was too big for the hawk. It would appear there are ways around your problem if you are prepared to fly not so fast and pointy things.
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Matt, the news is all good news. The crabs are really anal about the medicals. If you can't go fast jet they won't take you on as a pilot(correct as of a year ago).
However the Royal Navy will take you on to fly helicopters, having accepted in advance that you can't go fast jet no matter how good you are. I met a guy nearly a year ago who had been turned down by the crabs due to his height, the RN offered him a place as heli pilot.
If it turns out for any reason that you can't fly, only join the crabs if you wish to be subservient to the 2 winged arrogant master race for the extent of your career. Given the choice, who would choose to be a crab
anyway???
F
However the Royal Navy will take you on to fly helicopters, having accepted in advance that you can't go fast jet no matter how good you are. I met a guy nearly a year ago who had been turned down by the crabs due to his height, the RN offered him a place as heli pilot.
If it turns out for any reason that you can't fly, only join the crabs if you wish to be subservient to the 2 winged arrogant master race for the extent of your career. Given the choice, who would choose to be a crab
anyway???F
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Feneris, having wasted 18 months of my life as a crab before being chopped from JEFTS and finally seeing that the way ahead was in darker blue, I totally agree. I've been treated, at all stages of my training, a thousand times better (and been made to feel that I belonged to the organisation) than I ever was in the RAF. I'd advise ANYONE who wished to fly and who wanted to know how fulfilling it can be to actually work alongside junior rates and be responsible for their reporting and welfare from an early age to try the Andrew. "Crab racing" in a messdeck really means something different....
I don't fly with the RN, by the way...but a few of my crab mates wish they did!
I don't fly with the RN, by the way...but a few of my crab mates wish they did!
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I agree with Bad Livin. (I believe I met him at Dartmouth when I came to visit in a mighty Sea King a few years ago - nice to see he is enjoying it and feeling valued)
I have seen extremely tall SHAR pilots (one nicknamed "Tiny" for obvious reasons - but he was a USMC exchange pilot) and extremely tall naval helicopter pilots as well. I am 6"2' and they towered above me. You must bear in mind, though, that when the SHAR goes away soon all the RN FW pilots will be flying the GR9 so you would run into the same problems, just later on.
Also you may want to bear in mind which Service is potentially going to be hit hardest by the latest round of rationalisation which is a turn around from the 70's and 80's where the Cold War ethos revolved around defending Central Europe and not caring much about NATO's flanks - world events have now changed that thinking somewhat and defence policy is following that thinking.
(sorry for getting political)
cheers
Oggin
I have seen extremely tall SHAR pilots (one nicknamed "Tiny" for obvious reasons - but he was a USMC exchange pilot) and extremely tall naval helicopter pilots as well. I am 6"2' and they towered above me. You must bear in mind, though, that when the SHAR goes away soon all the RN FW pilots will be flying the GR9 so you would run into the same problems, just later on.
Also you may want to bear in mind which Service is potentially going to be hit hardest by the latest round of rationalisation which is a turn around from the 70's and 80's where the Cold War ethos revolved around defending Central Europe and not caring much about NATO's flanks - world events have now changed that thinking somewhat and defence policy is following that thinking.
(sorry for getting political)
cheers
Oggin
**** is correct with his anthro limits. I believe buttock-to-knee is the most crucial with the upper limit being 660mm (I was 668 - worst day of my life). Even below that limit I think you have to be winched out of Tucano to see if you fit. Hearing what all the chaps have been sayin, why was I told at OASC and in many a response to a whinging letter, that the limits are the same across all three services and that there is no way never that I will be aircrew for HMF.
Ginge
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Ginge
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"Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that, who cares? He's a mile away and you've got his shoes"
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Matt, Fineris makes a valid point, despite ruffling a few feathers .
Have a crack at the FAA, it may open your eyes, but if you are that tall you may end up banging your head on the 'roof' and 'walls' when onboard.
Yomp Marine, Sail Navy, Eat Crab.
Have a crack at the FAA, it may open your eyes, but if you are that tall you may end up banging your head on the 'roof' and 'walls' when onboard.
Yomp Marine, Sail Navy, Eat Crab.
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Now lets see, would I rather write reports onboard a floating tin can with the only woman nearby being on a poster, or would i rather blast around in my jet living near a town with fit women in all the bars.
Come on Bad Livin`! Get into the real world.
Come on Bad Livin`! Get into the real world.
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Fox_4,
Enjoy your "blasting" while you still have a jet in which to do it. The future of pilots in the RAF and the RAF itself is limited. I give it 20 years max. As an island we will always need a navy. Technology is bringing about the end of pilots in the military so at least in the navy you get to sail around the world.
Cheers
BHR
Enjoy your "blasting" while you still have a jet in which to do it. The future of pilots in the RAF and the RAF itself is limited. I give it 20 years max. As an island we will always need a navy. Technology is bringing about the end of pilots in the military so at least in the navy you get to sail around the world.
Cheers
BHR
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bad_livin,
What a great and fulfilling experience you must have had in the RAF before getting chopped at JEFTS! No wonder you seem to be the most bitter person on this forum. (And a gifted pilot to boot, no doubt.)
NB You are in the military AIRCREW area - suggest you vacate, and go and write some more reports seeing as this turns you on so much!
What a great and fulfilling experience you must have had in the RAF before getting chopped at JEFTS! No wonder you seem to be the most bitter person on this forum. (And a gifted pilot to boot, no doubt.)
NB You are in the military AIRCREW area - suggest you vacate, and go and write some more reports seeing as this turns you on so much!
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mattbeaton,
I think you will be unlucky, as my son went for pilot and was turned down because his seated height was 998mm. So the limits have changed from what was stated earlier.
The upper limit for seated height is 990mm.
Best of luck in whatever you do
I think you will be unlucky, as my son went for pilot and was turned down because his seated height was 998mm. So the limits have changed from what was stated earlier.
The upper limit for seated height is 990mm.
Best of luck in whatever you do
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Always amusing watching the sea going types try to justify their own existence by going to sea and taking their fleet of viff jets to help self lick the lollipop whilst important report writing goes on below decks.
Naval aviation in its fixed wing form is RTB to the historic hangar, meanwhile 20 years of flying until UAVs, at the current rate that will slide to the right by at least 50%.
Bring on Typhoon and let the RAF guys blast about faster, higher and with more `g`.
Naval aviation in its fixed wing form is RTB to the historic hangar, meanwhile 20 years of flying until UAVs, at the current rate that will slide to the right by at least 50%.
Bring on Typhoon and let the RAF guys blast about faster, higher and with more `g`.
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Not the right shape
I failed my Aircrew Medical for “lack of functional reach”. My left arm was too short! When the AAC MO found out he told the RAF to wind their necks in and after a quick fit into a Gazelle and a firefly I was loaded onto the next JEFTS course. Lesson: unless you are the right shape give Teeny Weeny Airlines (or by the sounds of early posts, the flying fish) a go. It may not be fast jet – but it still a lot of fun.
Best of luck
Best of luck
